Mugweru, Amos - Rowan University
Co-authors: Mazzochette, Zahilis - Rowan University
Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone and a popular malaria drug. Understanding the mechanism of action of this drug is important, given recent reports of emergence of resistance of malaria to the drug. We are investigating the biocatalytic reduction of ART on hemoglobin anchored on carbon nanofibers using electrochemistry. The drug interaction with hemoglobin in free solution using liquid chromatography and UV-visible spectroscopy is also being studied. Our results show a linear relationship between the catalytic peak current and the artemisinin concentration. The current linear range obtained was from 0 to 200 mM and with 0.329 mA/mM sensitivity. The calculated apparent Michaelis-Menten constant Km for hemoglobin anchored on carbon nanofibers towards catalysis of ART was 0.093 mM. The results of analysis of free hemoglobin reacted with artemisinin monitored using UV-visible spectroscopy and liquid chromatography will be discussed.
Application: Bioanalytical
Methodology: Sensors